ChinaConnection2018 is a unique project that selects, trains and escorts educators to Jiangsu province in China. Participants will provide not only a listening and speaking program to Chinese teachers of English but also deliver assignments on a variety of subjects for two or four weeks in the summer. Teachers from all grades and all subject areas are welcome to apply.

The goals of the project are three-fold:

  1. To provide Chinese teachers with opportunities to improve their listening, speaking and comprehension of the English language and/or Chinese teachers will have the opportunity to learn about Canadian learning and teaching approaches in various subject areas.
  2. To demonstrate student-centred teaching strategies for effective language instruction, and
  3. To provide participating teachers with a positive, professional, memorable learning and travel experience.

Participants will learn to prepare themselves and their curriculum beforehand so that lesson preparation is minimal while in China.

Participating educators pay for their transportation to and from China. The Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education provides transportation within Jiangsu, meals and accommodation (air-conditioned single rooms with Western style bathrooms) and local sightseeing opportunities. Typically, groups of 2 or 4  teachers go to each teaching site. They will exchange skills 5 hours a day for 10 days (Monday to Friday) over two weeks in July. There is an option to stay two additional weeks and repeat the program at a different site. Four-week teaching opportunities are very limited and preference will go to teachers who are participating for a second or third year.

In 2019, the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education paid an honorarium of 7000 RMB for the two-week cultural exchange program, that is 14 000 RMB for the program for four weeks. The rate of exchange fluctuates. In January 2019, 5000 RMB were about $960 Canadian.

Typically, participants depart for Jiangsu Province in early July. See the Dates and Deadlines page and below, we indicate the dates for 2024. These dates are not yet available. Should there be any changes, we will notify participants as soon as they become available.

Most participants travel to Pudong in Shanghai by plane. We, then, travel together in the morning, as a group to Nanjing,  the capital of Jiangsu province by road or rail. For 2024, we meet at the airport of Pudong on Friday, N/A. All expenses before that date are the responsibility of the participant. Teachers from other jurisdictions once arrived in Shanghai  will join the group.  After a two-day welcoming conference in Nanjing, participants will be taken to their host city to begin the program. The first session will start from Monday to Friday over the next two weeks.  On Saturday of the second weekend, those delivering the program for two weeks only, will return to Pudong-Shanghai ready to head home or start independent or group travel within China on late Saturday afternoon or Sunday. For the participants returning after a two-week assignment, all expenses as of Saturday, N/A are the responsibility of the participant.

Those staying to deliver the second session will move from their first site to Nanjing, and then be picked up from Nanjing to go to the second site on Sunday, usually around noon. The second session will run from Monday to Friday over the next two weeks. Those delivering the course twice will return to Pudong-Shanghai on  the Saturday of the last weekend (exact date N/A; it is usually the beginning of August) to return home or start independent or group travel within China on late Saturday afternoon or Sunday. Any expenses as of Saturday, N/A are the responsibility of the participants.

Applications, along with a resume, a release form and other relevant documents, will be required for 2024. The application form is available upon request; the exact dates and deadlines for the summer 2024 project are not yet available on the Dates and Deadlines page. Should you want to be on a supply list, you can ask for an application after the deadline. We process applications on a “First come, First served” basis. To secure a spot for yourself, we urge you to apply as soon as possible. Although the ultimate number of teachers required for the summer 2023 project has not yet been established. We make every effort to accommodate candidates when we have an early application.  At this point, we will accept applications for a wait list. In 2019, 27 teachers were selected to participate.

Selected participants are invited to attend a possible training session before the departure to address curriculum delivery, Chinese culture, travel preparations, team-building and practical details to ensure a successful summer experience. If a participant is unable to attend, some info will be forwarded by email. Participants will be contacted regularly by email and telephone as news reaches us.

Only qualified teachers, active or retired can be considered. Elementary and secondary teachers are needed. Most of the past participants work in Ontario, but teachers from other jurisdictions are welcome to apply. In the past, teachers from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, New Brunswick, California, Missouri, Wisconsin, Texas, Australia and Ireland have participated. ESL qualifications are an asset but not required. Non-teaching spouses and children may not participate in the program. Arrangements can be made for them to join you after the teaching session for onward travel. The Jiangsu Department of Education requires that applicants cannot be over 65 or must be younger, and participating teachers must have at least three years of teaching experience.

For an application form please email us at ereducat@gmail.com.